GERALDO BATTLES McJOE ARROYO IN IBF TITLE ELIMINATOR

The International Boxing Federation has formally sanctioned the December 20 clash between 23 year old Filipino southpaw Mark Anthony Geraldo and Puerto Rico?s McJoe Arroyo as a junior bantamweight eliminator for the No. 1 spot and mandatory challenger status for the winner against current champion Zolani Tete of South Africa.

IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker has indicated the winner will get a shot at Tete in the first half of next year.

Geraldo who is ranked No. 9 by the IBF has a record of 31-4 with 14 knockouts while McJoe Arroyo is ranked No. 2 behind a record of 15-0 with 8 knockouts. He is the twin brother of McWilliams Arroyo who scored a stunning 2nd round knockout of previously unbeaten Filipino flyweight Froilan ?Sniper? Saludar last June 19 to earn a title shot just five days after brother McJoe scored an 11th round TKO over former world champion Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez of Mexico on June 14 this year.

However, McWilliams dropped a split decision to Thailand?s Amnat Ruenroeng in Thailand last September 10.

Geraldo is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Mexico?s Efrain Perez whom he dropped in the third round in a Top Rank card in Macau on February 19, 2014 but had earlier lost a competitive fight against Thailand?s talented Oleydong Sithsamerchai in a battle for the WBC International super flyweight Silver title on July 29, 2011.

Geraldo won the WBO Asia Pacific Youth title with a ten round majority decision over promising Jerwin Ancajas on March 17, 2012.

Ancajas who has a record of 21-1-1 with 13 knockouts will see action on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri WBO welterweight title fight in Macau on November 23, Manila Time.

Ancajas will face Tanzania?s Fadhili Majiha who has a record of 15-5-4 with 7 knockouts.

Photo: Mark Anthony Geraldo (R) in action against Jerwin Ancajas.